THE WORK OF MAINTAINING CULTURE

I've certainly written many blog posts on the subject of "culture."  I'm a big believer in it because I've seen firsthand how powerful it can be.  I think as coaches we would all like to have a certain culture attached to our program -- but do we work daily to create and build upon the culture we desire.  It's like players that would like to improve but don't put the time and energy necessary to achieve the desired results.  Culture -- successful, team driven culture -- is difficult and is something that you must think about daily just as you would your practice plans or recruiting strategies.

In their book "Team Turnarounds," Joe Frontiera and Daniel Leidl talk about just that:

The maintenance of a culture is an ongoing process that requires regular effort.  The effort is worthwhile, though, particularly when you take into account just how much culture dictates behavior, focus, ethic, and results.  Culture is a powerful component of every organization, and to a certain extend it takes on a life of its own.

Leadership and culture are intimately woven together, continually impacting and influencing each other.  But leadership has a greater impact on culture than culture does on leadership, and as the leader of a team, you are a steward of its culture, an ambassador with the responsibility and power to influence and safeguard a culture of excellence.